Feb 11, 2026, 10:44Feb 11, 2026, 10:44
A report from «Financial Times» According to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyj, under pressure from the USA, is planning a presidential election and a peace referendum for May 15th.
Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelensky.Image: keystone
The British newspaper cites Ukrainian and Western officials who are familiar with the considerations, but does not quote Zelensky himself.
Accordingly, Zelensky could call the election on February 24, the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion. Then in May there should be a parallel vote on the head of state and a peace settlement with Russia that can be reached by then.
The Ukrainian president has already instructed parliament to prepare the necessary legislative changes for a wartime election. Last week he also reported on pressure from the US administration to end the war by the summer.
Safety only against turning in quickly?
According to the “FT” report, the USA will only stand by security guarantees if Kiev gives in by then. Washington is also demanding that Ukraine give up the part of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that it still controls. From the summer onwards, President Donald Trump’s leadership wants to concentrate on the US general election in November.
The call for a presidential election in Ukraine originally came from Moscow because Zelensky was allegedly not a legitimate contact. But Trump has made it his own. Kyiv has so far pointed out that an election cannot take place due to the current martial law. In addition, the vote could not be organized under Russian attacks, with hundreds of thousands of men at the front and millions of refugees at home and abroad.
A quick election date would benefit Zelensky
According to the “FT” report, Zelensky expects a better chance of re-election if the appointment is made quickly. It is unclear, however, whether the Russian leadership around Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is ready to end its war of aggression within the time specified by the USA. Recent statements from Moscow insist on maximum demands that amount to complete subjugation of Ukraine. (dab/sda/dpa)